Poll

Government

This month, the Marion County Fiscal Court and the Marion County Board of Education are making changes to their regular meeting schedule.
For the fiscal court, this is a temporary change. The fiscal court holds its regular meetings at 4 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the David R. Hourigan Building. Because the first Thursday in January was New Year’s Day, the court is changing its meetings to the second and fourth Thursday of the month, Jan. 8 and Jan. 22.

Marion County Judge/Executive John G. Mattingly performed what might be his last swearing-in ceremony at the Lebanon City Council meeting Dec. 8. Pictured along with Mattingly, from left, are council members Darin Spalding, Jerry Abell, Jim Richardson, Kate Palagi, Jay Grundy and John Mattingly. Lebanon Mayor Crenshaw was also sworn in during the Dec. 9 meeting.

Twelve years ago when Roger “Cotton” Smothers announced he was going to run for magistrate, he was told he didn’t have a chance. In fact, one person went as far as to say he would be an embarrassment to his community.
“I come from a very poor background,” Smothers said. “I didn't have much as a child growing up.”
Smothers said he and his family got their water from a spring, and had no bathroom in their house.

The Marion County Fiscal Court last week reiterated its opposition to pipelines carrying natural gas liquids in the county.
During the court’s Dec. 18 meeting, the magistrates unanimously approved a resolution opposing plans by Kinder Morgan to convert a portion of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline to carry natural gas liquids instead of natural gas.
The court’s resolution was greeted by a round of applause by members of the Sisters of Loretto, co-members of the Loretto Community and local landowners who have led the local opposition to NGL pipelines.

Marilyn Mullins' career in politics started with a request from Alvin Morris in 2002. He wanted her to run for mayor of Raywick.
"It was getting time for someone to run and I guess nobody had stepped up," she said, adding, "I told him, 'Well, I don't know what I'm doing, but I'll give it everything I got."
Twelve years and three terms later, Mullins, 73, is retiring as a city official.
While she had previously served as an officer in other organizations, none of them were like being the mayor of her town.

Voters who are already registered should be aware that Dec. 31 is the final day to change their party registration for the 2015 primary election.
The state constitutional offices will be on the ballot in 2015. These offices are governor/lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor of public accounts, commissioner of agriculture, secretary of state and treasurer.
Candidates have until 4 p.m. Jan. 27 to file to run in the primary for those offices.
First-time voters have until April 20 to register for the primary elections.

The Marion County Fiscal Court approved two funding requests during its Dec. 4 meeting.
The court unanimously approved a total of $1,300 for Marion County High School volleyball player Shelby Goode. Goode is raising money to participate in the Down Under Sports Tournaments next summer in Australia.
Goode told the court that she needs to raise around $6,000, and she has raised about half of that money already.

Bobby Miles presided over his final meeting of the Loretto City Commission on Dec. 9, but his legacy after more than 20 years as a city official won't be forgotten any time soon.
Miles retired from General Electric in 1990, but he wasn't the type to just sit around the house.
"I've always been active and I wanted to keep going. Even though I was retired, I still wanted something to do," said Miles, 79. "That's why I become involved in the city."

The Marion County Board of Education has scheduled a special-called meeting for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the board of education office to approve the second reading of revised policies regarding bidding and procurement.